Steven Ariong | Moroto, Uganda: The ongoing establishment of a cement and clinker factory in Moroto town has significantly raised the prices of land sales in the district, leaving hundreds stuck.
Initially, land in Moroto measuring 50 meters by 100 meters used to sell for between Shs 2m to 5m, but currently, it’s priced between Shs 70m to 100m.
This surge in land prices has been attributed to the construction of the first-ever factory in Karamoja’s history, which has been losing its raw minerals as they are transported and processed outside Karamoja.
The factory, for which President Museveni himself led the groundbreaking last year, is now under construction.
It is being established by West International Holding Limited, a subsidiary of China West Cement Limited (StockCode 2233.HK), a Hong Kong-listed company.
Upon completion in 2025, it will employ more than 2,000 people, with the majority being Karimojong locals.
Situated on 200 acres of land in Nadunget sub-county in Moroto district, the factory will produce about 6,000 to 7,000 tonnes per day of clinker and cement. This will help reduce the importation of raw materials by cement factories in other parts of Uganda and also preserve the newly constructed Moroto-Soroti road from damage by heavily loaded trucks carrying raw materials.
Simon Lomong, a real estate dealer in the district, noted that things have changed, with land prices skyrocketing, making it challenging to convince outside buyers to pay.
“People used to believe that land in Karamoja and Moroto, in particular, was cheap, but when we quote the land prices to them, they get scared,” he said.
Mr. John Nangiro, another local, praised the establishment of the factory, stating that it has allowed the people of Moroto to benefit from the high land prices.
“In fact, the establishment of this factory has greatly benefited us, and many people are rushing to buy land in Karamoja,” he said.
Mr. Ambrose Byona, the company director, however, laughed and remarked that Karamoja must be expensive like any other part of Uganda.
According to Mr. Ambrose, land prices in Karamoja should be at the same level as in Kampala.
“Anyone who thought they could continue buying land cheaply in Karamoja should now understand that Karamoja is part of Uganda, and the people of Karamoja must benefit from their natural resources,” he emphasized.
